vaguely aware of darkness, and weeping, and the subdued rustling
of gowns. Po' Nancy Barrett was here--he knew that? Well, didn't
he know that the dea' old Colonel had passed away suddenly--Miss
Augusta's tears flowed afresh. Nancy had come in unexpectedly to
lunch, and the telegram from her aunt had come while she was
there. "Tell Nancy Brother Edward passed on at five o'clock. Come
home at once."

Bert listened dazedly, in the shabby old parlour with the scrolled
flowery carpet, and the statues, and the square piano. He
comforted Miss Augusta, he even put one arm about her. Was there
something he could do?--he asked the forlorn, empty question
merely as a matter of course.

"I don't suppose yo' could send some telegrams..." Miss Augusta
said, blowing her nose damply. "Po' child, she hasn't got a
brother, nor anyone to depend on now in the hour of her bitteh
need!"

Bert's heart leaped.

"Just tell me!" he begged. "And what about trains, and
arrangements? Will she go down? And clothes?--would she need
something--"

This last item had been attended. Mama and Sis' Sally Anne had
gone down town, po' child, she didn't want much. And yes, she was
going down, to-morrow--that night, if it could be managed.

"But Nancy herself had better see yo'," Miss Augusta said